Teacher Resources

Reaching over 20,000 students each year, CMHA – Calgary’s Youth Education program teaches top quality, age-appropriate learning sessions, specifically aimed at junior high, senior high and post-secondary students in any classroom setting. The programming aims at breaking down the barriers that are preventing youth from getting help.

The Mental Health session breaks down common misconceptions surrounding mental illnesses and promotes a preventative approach to mental health. Participants gain a comprehensive introduction to the types of mental illnesses and the resources available for help. *Course material is available online – contact the Education Team ([email protected]) for more information.

Attainment of a healthy mind and body begins with understanding how to balance the demands of life. Understanding stress is key in maintaining personal health. The interactive Stress Management session provides students with an overview of what stress is, how it affects the body and mind, and the many ways to achieve a healthy balance to cope with stress at school, home, and in day-to-day life. *Course material is available online – contact the Education Team ([email protected]) for more information.

Suicide is a leading cause of death between the ages of 12 to 24 years of age in Canada. On average, 500 people die by suicide every year in Alberta. With statics this high the suicide prevention session is especially important. The Suicide Prevention session provides a compassionate and informative discussion on suicide as it dispels myths, outlines warning signs, and connects youth to resources.

Learning sessions are free to schools only. Sessions to other groups are provided on a fee-for-service basis. To book a learning session or to inquire for more information please contact: [email protected]. This course is taught by one of our education specialists. Due to the strong demand, sessions must be booked six to eight weeks in advance to ensure a preferred time and date.

Community Helpers is a peer selected training initiative available in schools, workplaces and community groups for people who demonstrate a natural tendency to help others. Community Helpers aims to enhance an individual’s supportive skills while emphasizing the importance of self-care.

How do I become a Community Helper?

The Community Helpers program is based on a peer support model where individuals are nominated or selected to become a community helper by their peers. Anonymous surveys are provided to students, adults, or individuals to identify people within the school, workplace, or community who already demonstrate a natural ability to help.

What should I expect from training?

Community Helpers learn the Helping Skill. The Helping Skill is a tool that supports an individual’s natural helping ability. Opportunity to engage with the Helping Skill is found in topics such as: knowing when to help a friend, limits as a helper, mental illness, suicide prevention, healthy relationships, and identifying appropriate resources. The training engages participants in scenarios within these topics to build confidence in their ability to help others. At the end of training participants will be able to build mental health equity in the school and community by understanding common mental health language, identifying levels of concern and resolve conflict through the Helping Skill, connecting to helping resources and professionals, and practicing appropriate self-care.

How long does the training take?

Junior high training is three sessions three hours in length. We recommend either three morning sessions or three afternoon sessions. Total training time is nine hours.

High school training has five sessions two hours in length. However, if the high school can accommodate longer training times, the training can become two sessions five hours in length. Total training time is ten hours.

For adult groups the training can take a full day. Depending on the specific modules requested the training could take between eight to ten hours.

Booking

For Junior or Senior High Schools: We recommend a school Guidance Counselor or specified teacher to act as the leading liaison for each school’s Community Helpers. Surveys to identify Community Helpers will be given prior to training and must be administered by the identified liaison of the school. Once the surveys are complete, the school will be able to identify which students were nominated for the training. All presentations require the use of a computer and LCD projector.

For Adult Groups or Professional Organizations: We recommend one contact person to act as the leading liaison for the training. Surveys to identify Community Helpers will be given prior to training and must be administered by the leading liaison. Alternatively, the group may be a self-selected group interested in the training and therefore, will not need the surveys distributed. All presentations require the use of a computer and LCD projector.
For more information on the Community Helpers training or to book, please email [email protected]

CONTACT CMHA & YouthSMART

NOTE: The Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region does not provide crisis services. If you are in immediate need of assistance contact the Distress Centre’s 24-hour Crisis Line at 403 266 HELP (4357).